Annette Merriman
Ensuring the best move for you...
in the Coastside communities of Half Moon Bay,
El Granada, Moss Beach, Montara, Pacifica
as well as the city of San Francisco

MBA Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES),
Certified EcoBroker

www.AnnetteMerriman.com
Annette@AnnetteMerriman.com
(415) 632-8272

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elcome, friends! Half Moon
Bay and the surrounding
coastal areas encompass a vast
wealth of natural resources
with recreational activities
for everyone. visitors can mingle with the locals
— from the beach trails to unique shopping and
dining in our historic downtown Main Street.
You’ll enjoy the ebb and flow of the coast yearround from resort life, to the arts, cultural events
and festivals.
On historic Main Street, you will still find
many family-owned businesses. There are art galleries, boutiques, antique shops, unique clothing
and jewelry stores. You’ll also find the best food
and dining experiences in the Bay Area. There is
something to please every palate. Select a sweet
treat from the warm family-owned bakeries, relax
and enjoy a casual meal, or bring a date and enjoy
a tantalizing culinary experience at our awardwinning restaurants.
Many of those restaurants feature local produce like artichokes, peas, and brussels sprouts
from family-owned farms. You can even pick up
this healthy fare at our Certified Farmers Market
each Saturday from May to December.
visit the Pillar Point Harbor for more great
dining with incredible oceanfront views and a
glimpse of life at a working harbor. Pick up fresh
fish right off the boats to take back home with
you.
Half Moon Bay is also home to two championship golf courses with dramatic Pacific Ocean
views that invite you to “Play against the ocean.”
Nestled between the golf courses is the legendary
Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, a world-class resort
with its own special comforts and windswept
views.
So come explore all the coast has to offer,
whether it’s hiking, biking, riding horses, or a leisurely stroll. Create your own memories. There is
always a special pathway for you in Half Moon Bay.

on The Cover: Montara State Beach. Review file photo.
Copyright All Editorial And Advertising Contents Are ÂŠ2010 By The Half Moon Bay Review.
Reproduction Or Use In Any Form In Whole Or Part Without Permission Of The Half Moon Bay Review Is Prohibited.

Spring into action
Seasonal fog sometimes overshadows the beauty of Coastide beaches, but it doesn’t dampen the vibrant
culture here during spring and summer. Even when the surf doesn’t sparkle, the community bustles. The
cool marine climate provides the perfect growing conditions for beautiful flowers, tasty artichokes and sweet
berries, all readily available from local farms. And while not as well-known as the Pumpkin Festival, annual
events like the Portuguese Holy Ghost Festival and Pacific Coast Dream Machines provide windows into the
Coastside’s unique culture. Hang up your bathing suit and dive into the coast like a native.

Holy Ghost
Festival

Sometimes called the Chamarita, the name of a traditional Portuguese dance, this springtime celebration honors the
Coastside’s Portuguese heritage. Held in Half Moon Bay and Pescadero for more than 130 years, the dual festivals imbue
family fun with a deep spiritual reverence. This festival traces its roots back to the 15th century, when the Portuguese
people were suffering from pestilence and famine. As the stories go, Queen Isabella prayed to the Holy Spirit to save her
starving people, and, miraculously, a ship loaded with food appeared in the harbor on Pentecost morning. The queen arranged a thanksgiving Mass and feast for the people, and as she entered the church, she placed her crown on the altar as
a token of gratitude to the Holy Spirit. Modern celebrants remember this event by choosing a teenager and little girl to
be the festival’s queen and little queen. The two girls, with their “side maids,” lead the festival parade to the church, and,
during the Mass, the festival’s queen symbolically lays her crown on the altar. But there is more to the Holy Ghost Festival
than the parade. Both towns hold auctions, and in Half Moon Bay the I.D.E.S. Hall parking lot on Main Street is transformed into a carnival, complete with games, prizes and a Ferris wheel. Festival-goers can also enjoy the traditional, tasty
roast beef sandwiches roasted in brick ovens. The men in the Portuguese community start firing the ovens a good week in
advance, heating them just an hour each day to acclimate them to the high temperatures so they won’t crack. By festival day, they are red-hot and ready to roast between 7,000 and 8,000 pounds of sizzling marinated beef. The Pescadero
festival (information: 712-1733) will take place this year on the weekend of May 15-16, and the Half Moon Bay festival
(information: 726-2729), the following weekend, May 22-23.

Certified
Farmers
Market

The weekly Coastside Certified Farmers Market consolidates the region’s freshest bounty in one place for your health
and convenience. Both organic and conventional produce grown at the hands of resident farmers can be found here.
Artichokes, brussels sprouts and peas are some of the better-known coastal vegetables, but market-goers can also find
gorgeous lettuce, kiwis, culinary flowers, spectacular greens, cabbages, carrots and berries — all locally grown. Out-oftown farmers, some from as far away as Lodi, bring hot-weather favorites to the market, things that won’t grow on the
coast, like peaches, citrus, watermelons and cherries. Specialty items like artisan cheeses, crafts like pottery, booths with
information on local nonprofits, as well as live music throughout every day of the market, make a day at the market a
real treat. opening day is May 1. The market runs every Saturday through the third week in December except Pumpkin
Festival weekend, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Shoreline Station in Half Moon Bay. For more information, call Erin Tormey at
726-4895 or visit www.coastsidefarmersmarket.org.

Spring 2010 Coastside Guide 7

8 Coastside Guide Spring 2010

SEASONAL FUN

Spring into action

{ Continued }

Pacific Coast
Dream
Machines

One of the Coastside’s most illustrious affairs, Dream Machines is a platform for expert mechanics to showcase their pride-andjoy in one day of turbo-charged fun. Collectors, drag racers, innovative engineers and aficionados converge in Princeton for the
event, which brings together about 2,000 machines and is known to captivate locals and visitors alike. Spectators are sure to
be dazzled by the array of custom, classic and futuristic cars, trucks, motorcycles and airplanes. People can even participate in
up-in-the-air tours. This year marks the event’s 20th anniversary on the coast. The event runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., April 25, at
Half Moon Bay Airport. For information on tickets and registrations call 726-2328.

Berry picking

The Farmers Market may be a great place to get produce, but picking your own can be even more fun. Two local ranches on
the South Coast have fields of sweet, ripe berries you can pick yourself, from the classic strawberry to coastal favorites like
the olallieberry, loganberry or boysenberry. At the peak of the season in early July, you can practically fill your basket
by standing in one place and shaking the branches. Berry picking is a fun family outing. Little ones as young as 2 can
enjoy sampling the ripe fruit while parents and older siblings fill their baskets. No sprays or artificial chemicals are used
at either Coastside ranch, so the berries are safe to eat right off the vine. Strawberries ripen as early as May and can run
through October. Olallieberry season starts in early June and can last through September if the summer is cool. Boysenberries are a quick crop, ripening in early July and lasting just a few short weeks. Call ahead to get up-to-date information
on weather and picking schedules, and to hear what else is available, such as baked treats, home-canned goods or pottery.
Coastways Ranch: 640 Cabrillo Highway, Pescadero. (831) 469-8804. Phipps Country Store and Farm: 2700 Pescadero Road, Pescadero. 879-0787.

Rodeo at
Driscoll
Ranch

Dust off your 10-gallon hat and spit-shine those spurs, Driscoll Ranch is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of its summertime rodeo in La Honda. Each year the event draws thousands of spectators for a weekend of rodeo classics: bull
riding, barrel racing, roping, bronco bustin’, and, for the 7-and-under crowd, mutton bustin’. There will be a concert,
along with a dance and barbecue, Saturday night with music by the California Cowboys, right after the rodeo and into the
night. Many contestants are locals who have been participating in the rodeo for years. Some have several family members
in various events each year, spanning generations. Skits, a rodeo clown and the precision riding of the Coastside Cowgirls
Drill Team, wearing pink to raise awareness of breast cancer, help make the rodeo a very family-friendly event. July 24
and 25, with the grand entry at noon. Call (650) 747-9704 for more info.
Spring 2010 Coastside Guide 9

CALENDAR

Events Calendar
Surrounded by the finest in natural beauty, Coastsiders have added the best in performing arts to go with it.
Theater, music, dance, original performance art, all thrive on the coast. And if you want to listen to live music
— either to just kick back or to rev you up — there are plenty of hot spots for cool sounds too.
oNGoiNG EVENTS
First Thursday of each month

Harbor Nights Car Show at Pillar Point Harbor is a show of classic cars, trucks, motorcycles
and hot rods, from 4 p.m. to sunset at the harbor. Free to spectators and exhibitors. Mary Botham, 726-2722.

Third Saturday of each month

Docent-led tours of the historic (1853) James Johnston House at 110 Higgins Purisima
Road in Half Moon Bay from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to September. 726-0329.

The Coastside Farmers Market, from May 1 through the third Saturday in December, presents
fresh local/San Mateo County/California-grown produce, with live entertainment, from 9 a.m. to
1 p.m. at Shoreline Station in Half Moon Bay. 726-4895.
Free cooking demonstrations and tastings from 11 a.m. to 2 pm. at Toque Blanche, 604 Main
St., Half Moon Bay. 726-2898.

Seven days a week

The Año Nuevo State Reserve welcomes visitors to see the elephant seals, molting in summer
and fall, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily at the reserve 25 miles south of Half Moon Bay. No reservations needed in summertime. 879-2025.

APRiL
April 8

Seniors Night out is when Senior Coastsiders matches locals with seniors to take to a festive
dinner with entertainment, which takes place from 6 to 8:30 p.m. 726-9056.

April 25

The 20th annual Pacific Coast Dream Machines presents cars and planes and machines from
yesterday to tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Half Moon Bay Airport, to benefit the Coastside Adult Day Health Center. Tickets are $20/adults, $10/age 11-17 and 65-plus, and free for kids
10 and under. 726-2328.

MAY
May 9

Mother’s Day is celebrated with a Mother’s Day brunch, champagne brunch and dinner at Navio
Restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay. 712-7000.

May 15

Gardens of the South Coast, a tour of beautiful participating South Coast gardens to benefit
the Pescadero Education Foundation, takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Continental breakfast
included. Tickets are $20. 879-9033.

May 15, 16

The Pescadero Holy Ghost Festival with the traditional feasting, auction and Sunday religious
parade, takes place at the Pescadero I.D.E.S. hall and grounds. 712-1733.

May 21 through May 24

The Portuguese Pentecost Festival in Half Moon Bay with the traditional auctions, carnival,
Sunday parade and feast takes place at the I.D.E.S. hall and grounds in Half Moon Bay. 726-2729.

10 Coastside Guide Spring 2010

CALENDAR

Events Calendar
JuNE
June 2

“Tip-a-Cop” brings the community and the local police together at Cameron’s Restaurant and Inn
from 5 to 9 p.m. for educational fun and a silent auction to benefit Special Olympics. 726-5705.

June 13

The Summer Concert Series presented by the Half Moon Bay Recreation Division presents live
music from 1 to 3 p.m. at Mac Dutra Park in Half Moon Bay. Free. 726-8297.

June 13

The Pillar Point Half-Marathon and Fun Run, benefiting the Coastside Child Development
Center, includes a 10K and 5K runs and a Kids’ Fun Run, beginning at 8 a.m. 726-7416.

June 20

The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, celebrates Father’s Day with a 10 a.m. brunch at the Navio
restaurant. 712-7000.

The old-fashioned Fourth of July parade brings you a taste of red-white-and-blue Americana
on Main Street, with floats, children on decorated bikes and trikes and units on horseback, starting at noon. 726-8380.

July 4

American Legion Post 474 will hold an old-Fashioned Town Picnic for the community, at
around 1 p.m., at 470 Capistrano Road in Princeton. Live entertainment. 728-9224.

July 11

The Summer Concert Series presented by the Recreation Division presents live music from 1 to
3 p.m. at Mac Dutra Park in Half Moon Bay. Free. 726-8297.

July 17

The 19th annual Tour des Fleurs in which Coastside nurseries are open to the public for guided
tours arranged in tour packages, takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 726-8380.

July 23

“oohs, Aahs and Giggles” presented by the Recreation Division presents family fun from 2 to 3
p.m. at the Ted Adcock Community/Senior Center in Half Moon Bay. Free. 726-8297.

July 24-25

The 10th anniversary Driscoll Ranch Rodeo begins with a 1:30 p.m. grand entry and takes
you back in time to a real Old West-style rodeo with events, live country music, and a concert following the rodeo on Saturday, all to benefit the local 4-H and FFA. 747-9704.

AuGuST
Aug. 4

The Boys and Girls Club Golf Tournament invites you to “swing with the legends” to benefit
the Boys & Girls Club of Half Moon Bay. 712-9710.

Aug. 8

The Summer Concert Series presented by the Recreation Division presents musical entertainment for the family from 1 to 3 p.m. at Mac Dutra Park in Half Moon Bay. Free. 726-8297.

Aug. 21 and 22

The Pescadero Arts and Fun Festival celebrates 20 years this year with crafts booths, food,
entertainment, kids’ activities and artwork by local artists, takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at
the Pescadero I.D.E.S. hall and grounds. Free. 879-0848.
Spring 2010 Coastside Guide 11

Beaches
No trip to the Coastside is complete without a glimpse of the Pacific Ocean from one of the many beaches in the
area. They range from the wild and craggy to deserted stretches of sand, perfect for a romantic stroll. There is something for the whole family. Don’t miss the well-known tidepools at Fitzgerald Marine Reserve or the lighthouses
that mark the region’s northern and southern boundaries. You’ll see surfers, whales and other marine life, depending on the time of the year. And you are virtually guaranteed a good time. See the map in the center of the Coastside
Guide for locations. Beaches are listed from north to south. Photographs courtesy CaliforniaCoastline.org,
a non-profit organization maintaining a visual database of the entire coast of California.

Gray Whale Cove
An unofficial clothing-optional spot (at the north
end), there is parking across the street. Don’t leave
valuables in the car — thefts are reported often.
Just south of tunnel construction. Restrooms on
trail to beach.

Montara State Beach
Very popular when the weather is good, empty if
not. Great for hiking and beachcombing, but be
careful of the steep drop at the surf. Dangerous
swimming. Inconsistent surf, but it can be the best
wave on the Coastside if the conditions are right.
Restrooms in south parking area.

Montara Lighthouse Beach
A small beach accessed through the Montara hostel/
lighthouse station. Historic fog signal dates back to
1875. Secluded and scenic, but not accessible if gate
is closed at lighthouse. No facilities.

Fitzgerald Marine Reserve
When the ocean rolls back the tides, another world
is revealed in pools that attract the curious from all
over the Bay Area. Look but don’t touch!
Restrooms and visitor center in small parking lot.

Seal Cove
Secluded beach underneath the Moss Beach Distillery.
Difficult access down steep staircase and eroded trail.
Can be a great swimming beach, especially at low
tide. Reef blocks large waves creating a relatively calm
lagoon. Can be lots of seaweed.

Ross’s Cove
This is the hidden half-moon just north of the famous
Mavericks break. It can be tricky getting to the beach,
but worth the effort. A long paddle out through rocky
outcroppings limits the number of surfers, but the
wave here can at times be clean and very large.
Spring 2010 Coastside Guide 13

Boat, Bike,
Surf or Horseback

There are many ways to get to the water!
Experience the Coast on two wheels!
Enjoy ocean views on 9 miles of flat trails

VIEW SCENIC BEACHES & COASTAL WILDLIFE:

pelicans, harbor seals, whales,
dolphins. Stop for coffee, snacks and
meals along the way

Mavericks
Trail from harbor leads past calm beaches
popular with dog walkers and kayakers. Beach
past breakwater is popular with seaglass hunters.
High tide can cover beach with surf and seaweed.
Mavericks surfers paddle out from this beach.

Surfer’s Beach
This is the most popular surf spot on the San Mateo
County coast and usually the most crowded beach
when the weather is good. At high tide, beach can
disappear completely. Erosion has removed much of
the golden sand that can be found at other spots.

Miramar Beach
Accessed by a short staircase near the Miramar
Beach Restaurant. Limited parking but can be a
nice spot when Surfer’s Beach gets crowded. Beach
disappears at high tide and for much of the winter.
Uncrowded but inconsistent surf.

Alcatraz
South of the bridge at Miramar. Access is best from
Mirada Road, down the Coastal Trail. Old stairs
are washed out. Shifting sand bars can sometimes
create good surf. Careful though: at low tide, pillars
from old pier can be exposed.

Roosevelt Beach
The northern end of four miles collectively known
as “Half Moon Bay State Beach.” Access at Young
Avenue. Turn right at kiosk and travel slowly
down access road. Large parking lot and pit toilets.
Uncrowded most of the year.

Dunes Beach
Pretty, quiet beach with paid parking available. You
may see surfers or just those who love a long walk
on the beach. Access at Young Avenue, straight
through the kiosk. Flush toilets. Trail down to
beach. Good spot to park and explore Coastal Trail.

Venice Beach
The end of Venice Boulevard opens into a beach
operated by the state. Multiple, large parking areas.
Flush toilets. Stairs to beach at northern lot, but
you may need to ford creek to get to the sand.
Remember: gates close at sunset.

Francis State Beach
Perhaps the busiest of Coastside beaches, there is
ample paid parking and access to the Coastal Trail.
At the end of Kelly Avenue. Popular for surfing
and picnics. Large camping area for RVs, cars, and
cyclists. Ranger station and visitor center.

The beach at the Ritz
Sweeping views from the bluffs but a difficult
scramble down eroded cliffs to the beach. Seldom
visited but good way to access the Ritz-Carlton
segment of Coastal Trail to the south.

The beach at the Ritz
You don’t need to stay at the Ritz-Carlton to utilize
this beach. Park just before entering resort property
on Miramontes Point Road. Beach is tucked under
the golf course. Stairs down to beach.

Cowell Ranch
Located south of Half Moon Bay, Cowell begins
with a half-mile trail to the point and then 150
stairs to a well-protected sandy beach. Restroom at
lot and at beach. Permanent view scope on bluff.

Tunitas Creek Beach
Wide, wild beach with dramatic cliff views to the
north. Few visitors — perhaps because of the
difficult, very steep trail down from Highway 1. Best
to enjoy from above. Reputation for being ‘sharky.’

San Gregorio State Beach
There is enough driftwood to build a vacation home
on this mile-long sandy beach at the mouth of the
San Gregorio Creek. Restrooms and picnic area. At
the intersection of Highway 84 and 1.

Pomponio State Beach
Plenty of parking and picnic tables make this South
Coast beach a perfect place for a barbecue with
family. This day-use facility features a small lagoon
and roaring surf.

Pescadero State Beach
Rocky coves and tidepools. Popular with fishermen.
Across the highway is Pescadero Marsh Natural
Preserve, a popular spot for bird watchers and other
naturalists. Several parking areas.

Bean Hollow State Beach
Beautiful horseshoe shaped cove with plenty of
tidepools to the north. Look for the self-guided
nature trail — and keep your eyes open for sea
urchins, crab and other marine life. Small, powerful
waves can break right onshore.

Gazos Creek Beach
Abundant tidepools dot a beach that is now part
of the Año Nuevo State Reserve. The reserve also
includes Cascade Ranch. Parking is across from the
Gazos Grill restaurant.

Spring 2010 Coastside Guide 17

CAUTION: May be habit forming, lead to
extreme happiness, and long road trips.

ou don’t need
to open any
publication to
know the Coastside is a unique
place. Head west over the ridge
of Highway 92 or wend your way
over Devil’s Slide for the first time
and find yourself farther from
San Mateo or Pacifica than you
imagined. If you moved here from
somewhere distant, you likely
remember that first time.
The land is protected by soldierstraight redwoods and those
beautiful invaders, our eucalyptus
trees. Homes are dotted about but
don’t dominate the landscape here.
Cross Highway 1 and you are on
craggy cliffs and beautiful beaches.
Sometimes-challenging weather
keeps the hordes away. The Coastside can feel like it belongs only to
you.
The following stories, pulled from
the pages of the Half Moon Bay
Review, provide glimpses into life
here. Lifeguards and researchers and a
hidden gem in La Honda. It’s all right
here, in our unique place.
— Clay Lambert

20 Coastside Guide Spring 2010

SLICES OF LIFE

Half Moon Bay turns
50 without fanfare

TiMELiNE oF SoME
kEY HALF MooN BAY EVENTS

CITY LEADERS
RECALL SIMPLER TIME

1920 Prohibition takes effect. City
becomes a hub for bootleggers.

O

ver the summer, Half Moon Bay
celebrated its 50th anniversary
as a city, a landmark occasion for
generations of Coastsiders who have invested their lives and love into San Mateo
County’s most gorgeous city.
It was a restrained celebration. There
was no parade, no fireworks, no ceremonial
plaques, nor any town monument. City
leaders said that would be inappropriate,
given that the city’s golden anniversary
came during its most tumultuous time.
“We’ve been downplaying the 50th celebration because our efforts have been on
keeping this

city as a city,” Mayor Marina Fraser said at
the time. “A lot of cities would go all out,
but that couldn’t be a priority for us.”
The City Council had a modest party with
cake and coffee during their public meeting
in July, to mark the city’s historic founding.
The following day, City Manager Michael
Dolder signed an unprecedented bond
release, giving Half Moon Bay the money
needed to pay off its Beachwood debts — a
move that commits the city to pay back
more than $30 million over three decades.
Call it apt or call it ironic that the city’s
landmark birthday came as the city faces
the greatest test for its survival.
Half Moon Bay History Association President Dave Cresson said the incorporation
of Half Moon Bay may have contributed
to some of the problems that led to

THE OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE
INCORPORATION vICTORY WAS A
SMALL-TOWN MEDIA EvENT — IT HAPPENED RIGHT
INSIDE THE REvIEW’S CURRENT BUILDING WITH
THE PAPERWORK OFFICIALLY SIGNED ON A COUPLE
PUSHED-TOGETHER DESKS.

Beachwood. Half Moon Bay’s litany of council members sometimes handled difficult issues in very ignorant ways, he said.
“The more professional leaders in San Mateo County never
would’ve made our mistakes,” Cresson said. “They don’t do the
things that the judge condemned as a mistake with Beachwood.”
But Cresson says Half Moon Bay’s incorporation became
a hugely popular idea among locals back in the 1950s. That
popularity was rooted in local concerns about the future
of the Coastside. Half Moon Bay, believed to be the oldest
community in the county, once had its own local member on
the Board of Supervisors, along with stronger political sway
among county officials. However, locals began to feel neglected by the county officials over the hill, particularly with
infrequent patrols from the Sheriff ’s Office and the ongoing
need to hire private patrols.
“Getting local control was very important,” said Fraser, who
also studies Coastside history and has been active in the Spanishtown Historical Society. “Half Moon Bay used to really have
a voice on the county Board of Supervisors … and they really
wanted to retain that type of control.”
The effort to incorporate was lead by local resident “Nick”
J.L. Carter, a local psychometrician (someone who professionally administers mental tests). Carter and other advocates worked for more than three years to promote the idea
of forming a city among nearby farmers and families. Carter
later became the first mayor of Half Moon Bay.
When incorporation was brought before voters in 1959,
they approved it with 76 percent in favor — a landslide victory.
The official announcement of the incorporation victory was
a small-town media event — it happened right inside the Review’s current building with the paperwork officially signed on
a couple pushed-together desks. On July 15, 1959, about 200

22 Coastside Guide Spring 2010

Population of Half Moon Bay from 1940-2000
2000

12000

10000

1990
8000

1980

6000

1970

4000

2000

1940

1950

1960

0

people crowded to celebrate the city’s birth in the Half Moon
Bay High School gymnasium, which is now occupied by Cunha
Intermediate School.
“It was a simpler time of life in the ’50s and ’60s,” recalled
City Councilman John Muller, a born-and-raised Coastsider.
“The budget was small, and people did what they could to get
by.”
“Things for Half Moon Bay have gotten much more complex,” he said. “We’ve had a down three years, but we’re still
going to be a great city.”
Cresson says the intersection of the city’s anniversary and
the culmination of Beachwood is downright eerie.
“There is a certain poetry in this,” he said wryly. “What a
way to celebrate the 50th!” CG

SLICES OF LIFE

August Howell runs down the beach with fellow campers to surf on the last day of the first session of Junior Lifeguard Camp on Dunes Beach.

Junior lifeguards have fun
while learning to be safe
PROGRAM HAS BEEN GROWING SINCE 2005

P

anting and dripping with saltwater, Logan Kennedy
grinned, willing himself out of the receding waterline
to outrace two of his instructors to a flag lodged in the
sand. Kennedy, 8, then plopped down in the sand and glanced
out over the water at an orange buoy 200 yards offshore, a
mere remnant of his daunting swim.
“You just swam 400 yards, Logan,” exclaimed lifeguard
instructor Taylor Riis. “That’s four football fields. Awesome,
buddy!”
Kennedy retrieved his towel and joined the 27 other junior
lifeguards, the only ones brave enough to enter the water at
Dunes Beach on a cold Thursday morning in the middle of
July. Armed with full-body wetsuits, zinc and booties, they
didn’t mind at all.
In fact, they wouldn’t be anywhere else.
Started in 2005 by California State Parks’ lifeguards, the
Half Moon Bay State Junior Lifeguard Program has been
steadily growing from summer to summer. With 37 students
registered for the first session of this season, the program was
as big as it had ever been in the summer of 2009.
Riis, a seasonal lifeguard, has been involved with the program since the beginning.
“I started when I was 16 and I started from scratch,” he said,

mentioning that there was no junior lifeguard program when
he was growing up. “Being out here and teaching though, this
has been by far the best. The kids are so full of energy.”
Riis and fellow instructor John Anderson have managed to
create a fun environment while at the same time promoting
ocean safety, educating students on everything from rip currents to CPR.
“The rewarding part is that many of these kids pick up the
terminology and knowledge that usually takes years of being
around the beach,” Anderson explained. “It’s great watching
these kids grow and develop in this setting.”
For these lifeguards, educating is also about building a
beach culture, something Half Moon Bay has been lacking,
despite its miles of coastline. Surfers and tourists aside, Anderson believed that this lack of beach culture has contributed
to a disregard for ocean safety.
“This program helps to cultivate a beach culture,” he said.
“Even though we live on the coast, we don’t have a lot of people that come to beaches. We try and open that awareness.”
It seems to be working too.
“I really like what we learn,” said Jack Tannenbaum, 13, who
came every day to Half Moon Bay from San Francisco. “It’s
worth it.” CG

rowing up, some may have heard “The Hero of Haarlem” before drifting off to sleep. In the fable, a little
Dutch boy on his way to school notices a small leak in
a dike that surrounds his town.
Knowing what his father had told him about the “angry
waters” outside the dam, the boy acted quickly and plugged
the stream of water with his finger. Resolute, he stayed there
through the night until he was found and, by doing so, saved
an entire city.
Tim Janssen, a professor of geosciences at San Francisco
State University, may or may not be familiar with the tale
about his home country. He is, however, familiar with angry
waters.
“I’m originally from the Netherlands, and I’ve always been
fascinated by waves and fluid mechanics,” he said in a 2009 interview. “The Netherlands lies below sea level and understanding what goes on is very important … It drives my research.”
The professor and El Granada resident published his
research in the Journal of Physical Oceanography on the
conditions and statistics of extreme or “freak” waves. Janssen described his work, which strives to explain not only the
formation of such waves, but also their chances of occurring
in a given sea state.
“My research is focused on near-shore ocean dynamics or
wave-driven dynamics, and we’re looking at how statistically
waves change due to interaction with things like reefs and current,” he said. “In other words, we’re studying the likelihood of
running into a large wave.”
While the professor conceded that he could not predict

24 Coastside Guide Spring 2010

Coastsider and San Francisco State University oceanographer Tim Janssen uses
mathematical models to unlock the secrets of rogue waves.

the occurrence of any individual wave, his work does help
to understand what factors contribute to favorable big wave
conditions.
Freak waves, canonized in surf films and conquered by only
the bravest of surfers, can be three times as large as the average wave on a given body of water. Witnessed in places like
Pipeline in Hawaii and Cortez Banks in California, these waves
have become an archetype of Mother Nature’s awe-inspiring
power.
Janssen’s examination of freak waves goes far beyond mere
aesthetics. For him, these waves are a matter of numbers, as
he crunches figures and probabilities together in computer
simulations to identify big wave hot spots.
“There’s a lot of theory involved, a lot of physics,” he explained. “Also, in order to describe the evolution of a wave, it’s
not just (using the) computer, you also have to go out in the
ocean and measure what is there.”
And with Mavericks in his backyard, Janssen may have no
better place to view and understand the watery monsters.
“I have no particular theories or anything [on Mavericks],”
he said. “It’s a schoolbook example of the focusing of waves at
a unique high energy spot.
“When I got to California, the first thing I had on my mind
was that I had to learn to surf,” he recalled. “I never regretted
that.”
When asked if he’ll be taking his chance at Mavericks any
time soon, the professor explained a dream he once had.
“I always thought that if I’d work really hard and surf every
day I would be able to go out there,” he said. “It’s not realistic
though. I’d be a threat to myself and everyone else involved.”
Looks like Janssen will stick to the normal waves for
now.CG

SLICES OF LIFE

La Honda pool remains a splash

Neighborhood kids dive and swim in the lap lane at the La Honda pool on a sunny Wednesday afternoon.

COASTSIDE’S ONLY PUBLIC
POOL IS ‘HIDDEN JEWEL’

S

unbathers in dark sunglasses lounged on chairs near the
clear blue water on a bright Wednesday in July while
children, blissfully boisterous is the summer sun, tried
hard to reconcile their excitement with the lifeguard’s warnings.
“Don’t run! Walk!” hollered Carissa Howland at an exuberant youngster from her shady poolside perch.
Last summer was the Coastsider’s second summer keeping a
watchful eye on the pool. She’s one of about 15 local teenagers
and “older folk” employed as lifeguards at the pool each summer, said Carole Williams, La Honda pool lifeguard supervisor.
Lifeguards always work in pairs, “one younger, one older,” in a
kind of checks-and-balances system. Before the partnerships,
teen lifeguards attracted parties of their peers to their watch
zones, creating what Williams considers a safety hazard.
“We’re trying to be more professional,” she said.
In spite of some tighter regulations, Howland said she
looked forward to the job every day.
“It’s not a drag to come to work,” she said. “And, if I want to,
I can go for a swim before and after my shift.”
Howland has roots up and down the Coastside from Pescadero and La Honda to the Midcoast and says she doesn’t

know anyone with a swimming pool. There’s a small private
pool tucked away in a Pescadero nook, she said, and the public
pool at Half Moon Bay High School. That pool was closed to
the public last summer due to budget constraints.
That leaves the La Honda pool as the sole option for Coastsiders looking for a public place to soak and grab some sun
away from the ocean fog and sand.
Serving South Coast residents since 1926, the pool was built
at the same time as the Cuesta La Honda Homeowners Guild
was formed. Today, the 300 households in the guild own and
maintain it through monthly dues.
Today, La Hondans cherish it as one of the few familyoriented gathering spots in the sleepy town, and as a one-of-akind summer venue.
“It’s a hidden jewel,” said Nuala O’Sullivan, who lives down
the street from the pool and visited almost every day with her
two children. ”I get to have adult conversations with friends
(and) catch up on gossip. You see kids and families. It’s not
overcrowded. And the view is beautiful — the redwoods and
mountains are right there.”
It’s all part of the family atmosphere Williams has been promoting since she assumed the supervisor position years ago.
“We want kids to take away memories from here,” Williams
said. CG

Spring 2010 Coastside Guide 25

SLICES OF LIFE

Lifeguards are thin line
of coastal protection
PROFESSIONALS SPEAK OF
40 MILES OF DANGEROUS COAST

C

oastside beaches are only a short drive from beaches in
Santa Cruz, but for lifeguards that distance divides two
distinct worlds.
“This is frontier lifeguarding in some ways,” said Paul Keel,
State Parks superintendent for the San Mateo County coast,
in an interview last week. “It’s more wild up here. There are
more remote beaches with colder water and big surf, and it’s
more dangerous — for (the lifeguards) too.”
The waves, weather and rip currents up and down the
Coastside are unforgiving and can surprise experienced and
prepared water users, said U.S. Coast Guard spokeswoman
Charity Hoffman. Her claim was given merit with the recent
drowning of a kite surfer at Poplar Beach and the presumed
death of a high school student off the coast of Davenport that
occurred earlier in the month.
“I can tell you from my experience … that there’s really not
much discrimination as to who ends up getting in trouble,”
Hoffman said.
The Coast Guard made 162 so-called assists in the Bay Area

in 2008. Hoffman said the cases ranged from commercial
fishermen and local surfers in trouble to rescues of infrequent
beach visitors.
Hoffman said Coast Guard data shows no revealing correlations among incidents on the Coastside, just that the heaviest season for search and rescue teams is spring through fall,
when the weather is nice and more people visit the beach.
Traditionally, during summer weekends, three seasonal
lifeguards resume duty on the Coastside. The rest of the year,
only four water watchers patrol the area — two lifeguards and
two “aquatic rangers” — bolstered by rescue boats from the
Pillar Point Harbormaster’s Office. That might seem like too
few eyes to cover about 40 miles of shoreline, but four lifeguards are “really good,” Keel said, as high as staffing has been
in more than a decade.
“Travel time is difficult,” he said in 2009, “but we do the best
we can,” given budget constraints and the public need.
“These are tough beaches here,” said Jeff Wadkins, the State
Parks lifeguard who retrieved the body of the drowned kite
surfer at Poplar Beach in March 2009. “The rip currents are
like live animals, and the sand is soft, so it moves a lot.” CG

Lifeguard Jeff Wadkins demonstrates the technique he uses if he has to run into the water for a rescue.

26 Coastside Guide Spring 2010

DINING

Dining
The very best thing about the Coastside — after the mountains, ocean and fresh air — is the huge variety of amazing, top-quality choices in dining. Whether you are picking up a deli sandwich made with fresh, warm bread or eating lobster dipped in melted butter or dining at the luxurious Ritz-Carlton, you’ll find it all right here on the coast.
CoFFEEHouSES
Caffino

“ Top three outdoor dining spots in the Bay Area”
– San Francisco Magazine
“Beautiful views, friendly service,
great seafood”
– San Francisco Chronicle
Top Five “Best Sandwiches in America”
– NBC’s The Today Show

Enjoy the private and exclusive use of this
beautiful facility for your next occasion.
Spectacular garden, meadow, forest and
ocean views will help make the day
memorable. We work with you to ensure
that your event at Cypress Meadows is
just as you envision.

Enjoy a complimentary beverage as you explore our
garden nursery featuring California natives and
other coast loving plants nestled among arbors,
swings, and garden art. Come inside to find fresh
cut flowers, beautiful plants, and an eclectic
collection of gifts for home and garden. Inside and
out you will find great values and friendly service.

Lodging
Planning a romantic getaway by the sea? Or the relatives don’t have enough spare rooms for everyone? The
Coastside’s convenient motels, hotels and beautifully decorated bed-and-breakfasts can meet any lodging
need. Memorable views are as close as the windows of the Coastside’s wide variety of hotels.

But when it comes to insurance
you need more than just value.
You deserve Premier Service.
And that’s what you’ll get
from our agency and Allied
Insurance. We take time to
get to know you and your
insurance needs. And Allied

Just 20 Minutes From Half Moon Bay
This historic site of The National Trust for Historic Preservation
includes a 36,000 square-foot house and 16 acres of English
Renaissance-style garden that includes a succession of garden
rooms, each with its own unique character and plant palette.
Filoli is recognized as one of the most beautiful gardens in the
world and a crown jewel of San Mateo County.

Landmarks
Grab your camera and get ready to snap pictures of the San Mateo County Coastside that you can bring home
and enjoy for years to come. Drive or walk by some of the more than 100-year-old buildings, or even take the
time to go in. A visit to Cunha’s Country Store, which burned down in recent years and had to be rebuilt, is
like stepping into the past.

Año Nuevo State Reserve

Home and breeding ground to elephant seals. Docent-accompanied walks bring visitors within 25
feet of the seals. About 30 miles south of Half Moon Bay on Highway 1. First come, first served
for guided walks. (650) 879-2025. Open 8:30 a.m. to sunset.

Activities
The Coastsideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great place to play. With the ocean to the west, the hills and mountains to the east, and
two great golf courses to the south, there are numerous opportunities to get out and play. At Surferâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Beach,
located just south of Pillar Point Harbor, waves range from a few inches to several feet for surfing. The beach is
also a popular spot for ocean kayaking, boogieboarding, windsurfing and even surf lessons. Along the beach,
the paved Coastal Trail stretches some 4.2 miles from the end of Poplar Street in Half Moon Bay to near Pillar
Point Harbor and is open to walkers, joggers, bicyclists and skaters. Horseback riding along side this trail is
an option as well. Half Moon Bay Golf Links comprises two world-class 18-hole courses. Oceanview Driving
Range is open to the public and located near the beach on Kelly Avenue. The James Fitzgerald Marine Reserve
in Moss Beach is a living museum of sea stars, anemone, algae and other marine life in acres of tide pools. The
Half Moon Bay Department of Parks and Recreation is a great resource for classes for kids, youth and adults.
Programs include music, art, cooking, sports clinics and camps, tap and ballet dancing and more.

Hiking and biking
The Coastside’s scenic beauty has a funny way of grounding people while simultaneously elevating them to
new heights. Many of us have chosen life on the coast because we are drawn magnetically to the pristine
beauty that surrounds us. The rolling surf bleeds into the beach; the sand meets a barrier of bluffs that protect
the community from the sea. A short distance from the shore, gentle slopes grow into grassy foothills, eventually rising to mountainous peaks — all within walking, biking or riding distance. Spring and summer are the
ideal seasons to explore this region. What follows should not be mistaken for an all-inclusive list of Coastside
retreats. It focuses on day hikes for those traveling on foot, but includes great ideas for cyclists, equestrians
and overnight campers.
MixED-uSE PATHWAYS
The Coastal Trail

One of the Coastside’s premier projects, this beautiful trail officially starts at Coronado Street in El Granada
on the undeveloped land called Mirada Surf West, just south of the jetty at Pillar Point Harbor. It wends
through Miramar and Half Moon Bay, stretching two or three miles south of Kelly Avenue. Informal pieces of
the trail run through Moss Beach, Princeton and the harbor as well. very popular with locals, the Coastal Trail
is open to those traveling by foot, bicycle or (at least in parts) by horse. Expect traffic, as this trail is usually
busy.

McNee Ranch State Park

Jaunting through the 700-acre McNee Ranch State Park, it’s plain to see why the park is one of the Coastside’s
top hiking destinations. Situated near Montara Mountain, the land provides breathtaking ocean and hillside
views for reasonable effort. Take the San Pedro Mountain Road north across the park for a 6.4-mile round trip
hike. This route was the one used before it was replaced by Devil’s Slide. For a steep climb, start from Highway
1 and take the North Peak Access Road. The round trip is 7.6 miles. If you’re in the mood for a shorter trek,
try the path to Gray Whale Cove, two miles round trip. To get to McNee Ranch State Park, take Highway 1
north from Half Moon Bay. Just north of Montara State Beach you’ll find an entrance and plenty of parking.
Open to hikers, equestrians and cyclists.

San Pedro Valley County
Park

Like McNee Ranch, this 1,150-acre park in Pacifica offers incredible ocean vistas at the top of the mountain.
A network of short trails, including the easy, 400-foot Plaskon Nature Trail and the 0.6-mile Brooks Falls
Overlook Trail, make the park an ideal outing for families. If you’d like to hike a little farther, try the 2.1-mile
each way Montara Mountain Trail, or the Hazelnut Trail, 3.7 miles one way. Most of the park is wheelchair
accessible, and there is one bicycle trail (Weiler Ranch Road), plus several equestrian trails. To get there, take
Highway 1 from the south end of Pacifica and turn east on Linda Mar Boulevard to the park entrance.

Burleigh Murray Ranch
State Park

This lovely short trail is actually an old farm road. It follows Mills Creek and will lead you by a historic ranch
and barn. Two miles round trip to the barn, four miles round trip to the water tanks. Trails for equestrians,
hikers and cyclists: From the intersections of highways 1 and 92, go south on Highway 1 for 1.2 miles to Higgins Purisima Road. Turn east and go 1.7 miles to the park entrance, where you’ll find parking.

Edgewood County Park
and Natural Preserve

Edgewood is a San Mateo County park adjacent to Pulgas Ridge and contains 467 acres of land. There are
more than seven miles of trail within the park and several loops. However, dogs and pets are not allowed, and
there are restrictions on bicycles and horses. It is a “park for all seasons,” with pleasant views year-round and
beautiful greenery in the spring months. Start at the entrance and follow Edgewood Trail or Sylvan Loop,
then choose a path. There are many possible routes at this park, making it a fun place to come back to again
and again. To get there from Interstate 280, take the Edgewood Road exit and go west. Park on the south side
of Edgewood Road near the freeway or at Cañada and Edgewood roads.
Spring 2010 Coastside Guide 43

TRAILS

Hiking and biking
Purisima Creek Trail

{ Continued }

This old county road used in the 19th century follows Purisima Creek through steep canyons. It’s quiet, wide,
and 8.4 miles round trip. Alternatively, you might make a loop from the North Ridge Trail or Harkins Ridge
Trail and return on the Whittemore Gulch Trail for a vigorous 6.8-mile trip. Or, from the Higgins Purisima
entrance, try the challenging 9.1-mile loop: take Purisima Creek Trail to the Soda Gulch Trail, connect with
Harkins Ridge Trail, the North Ridge Trail and then end with Whittemore Gulch Trail. Some trails are open
only for hikers; others are open to equestrians and cyclists. There is even a 1/4-mile-long trail, funded by the
Peninsula Open Space Trust, for the physically limited. Access the preserve from either Higgins Purisima
Road or Skyline Boulevard 6.5 miles south of Highway 92.

HikERS oNLY
Año Nuevo State Reserve People come from around the world to experience this treasured coastal strip, many of them hoping to
glimpse the reserve’s most famous attraction elephant seals in action. Año Nuevo is a three-mile round trip
to the Año Nuevo Point. It’s an easy hike until you get to the sand, where there are dunes that make the
trek more challenging. There is beach access for disabled people. Bicyclists and equestrians prohibited. From
Northern Elephant Field, with binoculars, you might spot elephant seals, which molt during the spring and
summer. No pets allowed. Permits are free and you get them at the entrance station from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30
p.m. South on Highway 1, 30 miles from Half Moon Bay.
Butano State Park

Located in a quiet, woody canyon, this park is a favorite for campers. It’s popular among hikers as well. The
beautiful, challenging 10-mile Canyon Trail connects you to a series of circuits through the park. Equestrians,
bicyclists and dogs are prohibited from trails. Call (650) 879-2025 for more information. Butano is off Highway 1, 4.6 miles south of Highway 84. Take Pescadero Road east for 2.6 miles, turn south on Cloverdale Road
and then go five miles to the park entrance on the left.

Memorial Park

Nestled in the redwood forestland behind Pescadero, Memorial Park offers outdoor enthusiasts a tranquil
retreat. Inside the park, visitors will find a series of trails snaking past campsites and picnic areas to breathtaking vistas of the Santa Cruz Mountains and swimming holes in Pescadero Creek. Perfect for campers and
hikers, the park prohibits bikes, horses and dogs. Trails from the park connect to adjacent properties Pescadero Creek County Park, Portola State Park and Butano State Park. To get to Memorial Park, take Highway 1
to Pescadero Creek Road and drive eight miles east — the park entrance is on the right-hand side of the road.

Crystal Springs Cross
With views of the San Francisco skyline, this 7.5-mile course is considered one of the best cross-country paths
Country Running Course in the Bay Area. Maintained by College of San Mateo volunteers, the trail is open exclusively to hikers, joggers
and runners. Be sure to bring a water bottle — the trail area can get pretty hot on sunny days. Athletes have
been known to pass out from heat exhaustion when running this trail. To get there from the coast or Interstate 280, take Highway 92 east and exit at Ralston Avenue. Turn right on Hallmark Drive and continue to
Hallmark Park. Park on the street and enter the trailhead by the path near the tennis courts. From I-280, take
Highway 92 east and follow the directions above.
Pulgas Ridge open Space This 366-acre Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District preserve contains two beautiful loop hikes and
Preserve
joins the San Francisco Watershed. There are six miles of trails to travel for hikers only. One three-mile loop is
a surfaced road designed for hikers and cyclists. An alternate route, the Polly Geraci Trail, meets up with the
main loop. To get there, take the Edgewood Road exit from Interstate 280 and go east one mile. Turn left on
Crestview Drive and left on Edmonds Road.

44 Coastside Guide Spring 2010

TRAILS

Equestrian
EQuESTRiAN RETREATS
Russian Ridge open
Space Preserve

In the spring, Russian Ridge is one of the best places to view wildflowers in the area, according to MROSD.
Year-round, the preserve has wonderful views of the Santa Cruz Mountains and San Francisco Bay. Enjoy the
preserve’s grassy hillsides, which are not as steep as Purisima or Windy Hill. Hikers, bicyclists and equestrians
permitted; no dogs allowed. Start at the entrance to the preserve at the intersection of Skyline Boulevard and
Page Mill Road. Take the Bay Area Ridge Trail, connect with the Mindego Trail, join the Ancient Oaks Trail and
then you’ll connect back again to the Bay Area Ridge Trail and return to the parking lot. The entrance to Russian Ridge can be accessed by taking Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35) 19.7 miles south of Highway 92. Or take
the Page Mill Road exit from Interstate 280 until its intersection with Skyline Boulevard. All MROSD trails
have maps available at the signboards in the parking areas.

Purisima Creek
Redwoods open Space
Preserve

This preserve contains a 21-mile network of challenging trails through canyons and ridges under a balcony of
redwoods. Think about browsing through a guidebook before heading out — the trail possibilities are many.
The owner, MROSD, says this is a great place for summer rides because it is heavily forested, providing muchneeded shade on hot days.

Windy Hill open Space
Preserve

The trails are distinct, and the views incredible, according to MROSD. A great 1.5-mile hike is the Anniversary
Trail loop, which offers 360-degree views of the entire Bay Area. Access this hike from Skyline Boulevard, 14.4
miles south of Highway 92, where you’ll find a gate labeled WH01 at the entrance and ample roadside parking.
It is open to hikers and leashed dogs only. However, a longer, roughly 8-mile loop is perfect for horses. Park at
the designated parking area on Skyline Blvd., 14.8 miles south of Highway 92. From there, take the Lost Trail
to Razorback Ridge, connect with Eagle Trail and then the Hamms Gulch Trail, finally returning to the Lost
Trail for a short distance back to the parking lot. The Spring Ridge Trail is open to bikers, horses, hikers and
dogs.

Big Basin Redwoods
State Park

Established in 1902, Big Basin is California’s oldest state park, and consists of over 18,000 acres of old-growth and
recovering redwood forest. It features beautiful waterfalls, an 80-mile trail network and camping areas. Trails range
from easy to moderate, with options for hikers, backpackers, cyclists and equestrians. The best way to pick a hike is
to check out the Web site at www.bigbasin.org. From here, you can find information about trails, weather conditions and fees. To get to Big Basin, take Skyline Boulevard (Hwy. 35) to Hwy. 9, and then take Big Basin Way to the
Ranger Station.

Sam McDonald County
Park

This easily overlooked 850-acre park lies about 3 miles west of La Honda on Pescadero Creek Road on the way
to Memorial and Pescadero Creek parks. With its network of trails, the park offers equestrian adventurers
a place to stretch their horses’ legs. The park also features the Hikers’ Hut, situated near the top of Towne
Ridge, which provides lodging for groups of hikers. To get to the park, Take Highway 1 to Pescadero Creek
Road. Then go east 11 miles to the park entrance.

Entertainment
Surrounded by the finest in natural beauty, Coastsiders have added the best in performing arts to go with it.
Theater, music, dance, original performance art, all thrive on the coast. And if you want to listen to live music
— either to just kick back or to rev you up — there are plenty of hot spots for cool sounds too.

THEATER, MuSiC AND DANCE
Bach Dancing and
Dynamite Society

A bohemian beach-house party evolved into the nationally respected Bach. Officially incorporated
in November 1964, the Bach is where owner Pete Douglas is fiercely dedicated to preserving and
presenting world-class jazz, classical, contemporary and fusion music in the informally elegant,
intimate Douglas Beach House. This summer on the Coastside, the music that will include flutist
viviana Guzmán and trio (April 18,) Lavay Smith and her Red Hot Skillet Lickers (April 25,) the
Michael O’Neill quintet (May 9) and the Fred Ross Project (May 30). 726-4143; bachddsoc.org.

Coastal Repertory Theatre

Founded in 1986 as This Side of the Hill Players, Coastal Rep presents quality drama, comedy,
farce, classic, musical theater, family and avant-garde productions in the comfortable 158-seat
Mel Mello Center for the Performing Arts in Half Moon Bay. Still to come this summer are “Our
Town” (June 4-26), “Urinetown, the Musical” (July 23-Aug. 21), and “Rabbit Hole” (Sept. 17-Oct.
9). 569-3266; www.coastalrep.com.

Coastal Theatre Conservatory

Part of Coastal Repertory Theatre but still its own peppy entity, CYC offers theater lovers from
kindergarten through high school lessons in the arts of the theater. Conservatory director Michael Lederman and Coastal Rep staff teach acting, voice, improv, dance and overall stagecraft to
students. This year, CTC will stage “Wonka: The Musical” April 30-May 9. 726-0267 or 569-3266.

Coastside Chorale

Administered through Cabrillo Unified School District Adult Education and made up of 25 adults
and students, now in its 53rd year, the chorale presents two concerts annually, and ensembles
perform at events like Nights of Light at holiday time and at local medical centers. The chorale
will join the San Francisco State University and Half Moon Bay Library handbell choirs in concert
April 30, and present its annual Spring Concert with selections from “Les Miserables,” spirituals
and Gilbert and Sullivan, on June 5 at the Coastside Lutheran Church. Joan McBride, director,
726-9266.

Coastside Community orchestra

Forty to 50 Coastside classical music lovers from beginners to pros make symphonic music yearround with the orchestra, which celebrated 27 years in 2010. Its next concert, “Invitation to the
Dance” with dance themes, is set for May 8 in Half Moon Bay. The orchestra also invites local
string players to make music together in the Summer Strings program. Anne Pearlman, 726-1241.

Half Moon Bay High School

Beyond academics, young performers glow in the limelight at Half Moon Bay High, where the
concert band, jazz band and vocal ensembles perform at community and school events. Previous
musicals have included “42nd Street,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and, in 2010, “The Unsinkable Molly Brown.” 712-7200.

Spring 2010 Coastside Guide 49

Nurturing the mind, body
& spirit of our residents in a
community environment

For more than 15 years, this El Granada studio has helped youth 3 through young adulthood who
gotta dance. Instructor Michelle McDonald teaches tap, ballet, jazz dance and tumbling while
staging regular theatrical dance productions. 726-1489.

omni Foundation for
the Performing Arts

Now in its 29th season, local classical guitarist Richard Patterson has produced the Omni Dynamite seasons of the best in classical, contemporary and world music by guitarists from around the
world, in concert and in its International Guitar Night, in San Francisco venues.

The Shely Pack Dancers

The Shely Pack Dancers studio, coordinated through the Half Moon Bay Recreation Division, offers a diversified program for beginning to serious young students of classical and lyrical ballet,
jazz, tap, modern dance, hip-hop and acrobatics, and has fostered a number of Dance Masters of
America national champions. The Shely Pack dance troupe performs locally, regionally, nationally
and internationally throughout the year. Upcoming local performances include “Crystal Magic,”
the annual recital commemorating the studio’s 15th anniversary, June 16 and 17, at the Skyline
College Theatre. 726-7811; www.shelypackdancers.com.

The Susan Hayward
School of Dancing

For three decades on the coast, founder Susan Hayward and staff have taught beginning through
performance-level ballet and tap dance to students age 2 through adult. The teachers are certified
through the Royal Academy of Dance in London and teach from its syllabus. The school’s 100-plus
students perform throughout the year, and there are holiday performances, an annual spring production, and a dance and theater arts summer camp. The school will give a spring performance,
reprising “I’ll Tell You a Story,” May 15 and 16, in the Half Moon Bay High School student center.
728-7519; www.shaywarddance.com.

Young Actors Workshop

Since 1989, under director Auri Naggar, Young Actors Workshop has sought to help young people
from kindergarten through high school develop confidence in their abilities as performing artists,
become empowered to trust their decisions and to nurture imagination, teamwork and problemsolving skills. YAW will present its Young Rockers Workshop program this summer and stages an
annual musical production in May, with original story, characters and songs created by students.
This year’s production, “Burdaburp, Qweeneeequeep and Buzzork,” about three planets to be visited by class of earthlings, will run May 7, 8 and 9 at Half Moon Bay High School. 726-1304; www.
coastsideyoungactors.com.
Spring 2010 Coastside Guide 51

Licensed to practice in all California Courts and the U.S. Supreme Court

HALF MOON BAY, CA

726-5575 • 745 Mill Street, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019

GALLERIES

Galleries
The Coastside is an artistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mecca, alive with painters, sculptors, fiber artists, jewelry makers, mixed-media
wizards and much more. There are a number of inviting galleries that proudly showcase their own work, as
well as the work of other fine artists. Many restaurants and other businesses join the galleries in displaying
artworks. For beginning artists, or experienced ones looking to brush up their technique, some of the Coastsideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s professional artists and galleries offer classes and workshops.

Borsini-Burr Gallery

1401 Main St., Montara. 712-2111. borsini-burr.com

Coastal Arts League

300 Main St., Half Moon Bay. 726-6335. coastalartsleague.com

The Coastside Gallery & Wine Bar

330 Main St., Half Moon Bay. 726-4460. coastsideart.com

Courtyard Gallery

643 Main St., Half Moon Bay. 712-1114. courtyardgallery.net

Enso Gallery

131 Kelly Ave., Half Moon Bay. 726-1409. ensohmb.com

Fly on the Wall

790 Main St., Half Moon Bay. 726-8125. flyonthewallartist.com

Galleria Luna

300 Main St., Half Moon Bay. 726-8932. gallerialuna.com

Gallery M

328 Main St., Half Moon Bay. 726-7167. gallerym.net.

The Garden Gallery

530 Main St., Half Moon Bay. 712-7777. artonmain.com

Greenhouse Pottery/Pastorino Farm

On Highway 92, two miles east of Half Moon Bay. 867-9120.

kelly Avenue Potters

514 Kelly Ave., Half Moon Bay. 245-7105. kellyavenuepotters.com

kelly Street Gallery

751 Kelly St., Half Moon Bay. 726-4358. kellystreetgallery.com

Light and Art

330 Main St. #101, Half Moon Bay. 726-3080. lightandart.com

Made in Pescadero

216 Stage Road, Pescadero. 879-9128. madeinpescadero.com

Personal Fx

643 Main Street, Half Moon Bay. 560-9131. pfxshowroom.com

Spring Mountain Gallery Photography

790 Main St., Half Moon Bay. 726-3025. springmountaingallery.com

Spring 2010 Coastside Guide 55

Open
Daily
11-5

522
Avenue
Alhambra,
El Granada

650.726.9911

Antiques
Jewelry • Books
Household Items
Furniture
Clothing

ART ATTACK

FURNITURE ETC

ANTIQUE FURNISHINGS

Coastside Land Trust

is dedicated to preserving open
space in perpetuity for the benefit
of the Coastside community by
• Purchasing and accepting donations
of land and conservation easements
• Securing private and public funding
for land conservation
• Providing assistance and resources to
landowners interested in protecting their land
• Leading local conservation, restoration,
stewardship, and educational activities

Join Us

Open Tuesday-Sunday
11:00 a.m. – 5:00 pm

Wildflower Workshop and Railroad Right of Way
Tour Saturday, April 17, 2010, 1–5 pm
www.coastsidelandtrust.org for details

The Coastside is the heart and soul of San Mateo County’s agriculture industry, with 99 percent of the
county’s production generated from farms west of Skyline Boulevard. With its temperate summers and mild
winters, the area is ideal for cool weather crops such as artichokes, brussels sprouts and mushrooms. Nurseries and flower farms are also abundant in the area.
PRoDuCE/DAiRY
Andreotti Family Farm

Kelly Avenue one-quarter mile west of Highway 1. 726-9151.

Farmer’s Daughter

Across from Half Moon Bay Airport east of Highway 1, five miles north of town. 728-8660.

G. Berta

One mile east of Half Moon Bay on Highway 92. 712-0661.

Harley Farms

205 N. Street, Pescadero. 879-0480. harleyfarms.com.

Phipps Country Store and Farm

At 2700 Pescadero Road in Pescadero. 879-0787.

Pardini’s Vegetable Stand

On Prospect Road in Princeton, about five miles north of town. 726-4289.

Tom & Pete’s Produce

At the intersection of Highway 92 and Main Street in Half Moon Bay. 726-2561.

Sweet Peas organics

Located on Highway 1 in Montara. 728-9944.

PuMPkiNS
Arata Pumpkin Farm

Six miles south of Highway 92 on the east side of Highway 1. 726-7548.

Bob’s Pumpkin Farm

Five miles south of Half Moon Bay on Highway 1. 726-4567.

Farmer John’s Pumpkin Farm

Family farm located on Highway 1, just one mile north of Highway 92 on the west side. 726-4980.

Cozzolino Nursery

Two miles east of Half Moon Bay on Highway 92. 726-4307.

H. Pastorino and Son

Two miles east of Half Moon Bay on Highway 92. 726-6440.

Lemos Farm

Two miles east of Half Moon Bay on Highway 92. 726-2342.

NuRSERiES
Blue Sky Farms

3068 N. Cabrillo Hwy., Half Moon Bay. 726-5999.

Bongard’s Treescape Nursery

A mile-and-a-quarter east of Half Moon Bay on Highway 92. 726-4568.

Cypress Flower Farm

333 Cypress Ave. in Moss Beach, just off Highway 1 six miles north of Half Moon Bay. 728-0728.

Half Moon Bay Nursery

On Highway 92, about three miles east of Half Moon Bay. 726-5392.

BERRY PiCkiNG
Coastways Ranch

Highway 1 about 30 miles south of Half Moon Bay opposite Año Nuevo State Reserve. 879-0414.

e invite you to discover our many
treasures. Pescadero is nestled between
the ancient towering redwood forests
and the pristine coastline, offering
miles of hiking-biking trails and endless wind-swept
beaches. The town, with its historic frame houses and
steeple churches, grew from a single adobe dwelling
on a Mexican rancho in the late 1840s. Pescadero,
accessible by stagecoach from San Francisco, became
a fashionable country â&#x20AC;&#x153;resortâ&#x20AC;? with two famous hotels
that thrived well into the 1920s. Today the village is

mainly an agricultural and ecotourism area. Pescadero
offers a wide array of local produce including
artichokes, u-pick kiwis and olallieberries, as well as
locally produced goat cheese and artisan breads. Take
a stroll down the Old Stage Road and beyond, where
you will discover small shops specializing in handcrafted goods, antiques, delicious cuisine, wood-fired
pizzas, renowned fish tacos and a charming array of
lodging. For more than 150 years, people have been
coming to Pescadero to enjoy the natural beauty of
this peaceful seaside village.

www.pescadero.com

Fascinating
Fascinating Fact:
Fact:
Gordon
Gordon Moore,
Moore, Founder
Founder of
of Intel,
Intel, grew
grew up
up in Pescadero and lived in the house which is now Luna Sea
58 Coastside Guide Spring 2010

Schools
There are two school districts, Cabrillo Unified School District and La Honda-Pescadero Unified School District, that serve students on the Coastside. In addition, two K-8 private schools are located Coastside.
CABRiLLo uNiFiED SCHooL DiSTRiCT
The Cabrillo Unified School District, situated between the cities of San Francisco and Santa Cruz on the beautiful Pacific Coastline, serves
approximately 3,400 students in pre-kindergarten, K-12, and adult education programs. The District, established on July 1, 1965 and encompassing an area of approximately 135 square miles, consists of four elementary schools—El Granada, Farallone view, Hatch, and Kings
Mountain— Cunha Intermediate School, Half Moon Bay High School, and Pilarcitos High School (an alternative education/continuation
center). The mission of the Cabrillo Unified School District is to “develop critical thinkers and socially responsible citizens who actively participate in their individual learning and development and are fully prepared to embrace their next challenge by utilizing our unique natural
resources and engaging the entire Coastside community and its partners in providing a rich and academically rigorous curriculum in a safe
and nurturing environment.” This mission is more succinctly stated in the Board-adopted motto, “Every Child, Every Day.” The District Office is located at 498 Kelly Ave., Half Moon Bay, and can be reached at 712-7100. visit the official Cabrillo Unified website at
http://www.cabrillo.k12.ca.us/ for additional information. School sites include:
Alvin S. Hatch Elementary School

490 Miramontes St., Half Moon Bay, 712-7160.

El Granada Elementary School

514 Kelly Ave., Half Moon Bay, 712-7150.

Farallone View Elementary School

1100 Le Conte Avenue, Montara, 712-7170.

kings Mountain Elementary School

211 Swett Road, Woodside, 712-7180.

Manuel F. Cunha intermediate School

Kelly Avenue and Church Street, Half Moon Bay, 712-7190.

Half Moon Bay High School

1 Lewis Foster Drive, Half Moon Bay, 712-7200.

Pilarcitos High School

498 Kelly Ave., Half Moon Bay, 712-7224.

THE LA HoNDA-PESCADERo uNiFiED SCHooL DiSTRiCT
is San Mateo County’s largest district in terms of geography, but has the smallest student enrollment. The small size imposes some limitations, but it also means the teacher-student ratio is small enough for individual attention, and the district enjoys a high degree of community involvement and support not typical in larger districts. The district encompasses the South Coast, serving the unincorporated
communities of Pescadero, La Honda and Loma Mar with an enrollment of 360 students. The district office is located at 360 Butano Cutoff,
Pescadero, and can be reached at 879-0286. It includes:
La Honda Elementary School

Sears Ranch Road, La Honda. K - 6. 747-0051.

Pescadero Elementary

620 North St., Pescadero. Preschool-5. 879-0332.

Pescadero Middle and High School

350 Butano Cutoff Road, Pescadero. Grades 7-12. 879-0274.

PRiVATE SCHooLS oN THE CoASTSiDE
Sea Crest School

Sea Crest School is an independent, nonprofit K-8 school that offers small class sizes and
before- and after-school care. 901 Arnold Way, Half Moon Bay. 712-9892.

Health & Senior Services
Besides a host of private practices, those seeking medical care have a variety of choices. Seton Medical Center Coastside (Seton Coastside) provides long-term care for the elderly and chronically ill, emergency and outpatient services.
The Coastside RotaCare Clinic brings urgent care to those who have no medical insurance or are underinsured.
Sonrisas Community Dental Center offers dental services on a reduced-fee schedule to eligible low-income families.
Coastside Adult Day Health Center (CADHC) offers a full range of services for the frail, elderly and disabled. The
Senior Coastsiders serves hot meals and provides Meals On Wheels for the homebound.
Seton Medical Coastside

Seton Medical Coastside provides compassionate care including a 116-bed skilled nursing
facility with long-term care for the elderly and chronically ill, and hospitalization in the
medical unit. Seton Coastside has the only standby 24-hour physician-staffed emergency
department on the coast from Daly City to Santa Cruz. There are also three outpatient
clinics â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a lab, screening mammogram and X-ray department, and rehabilitative services.
Seton Medical Center is located in Daly City. Off Highway 1: 600 Marine Blvd., Moss
Beach. (650) 563-7100. setonmedicalcenter.org/coastside

The Coastside RotaCare Clinic

The Coastside RotaCare Clinic brings urgent care to those who have no medical insurance
or are underinsured. RotaCare is the result of a collaborative partnership between Seton
Medical Center, Seton Coastside, the Half Moon Bay Rotary Club, and the San Mateo
County Public Health Department. Physicians, Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Pharmacists, Translators and Registrars volunteer their time, providing much needed healthcare
services to coastside residents. The Clinic operates on a first-come, first-served basis and is
opened Wednesdays from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Shoreline Station: 225 S Cabrillo Highway, Suite
200A, Half Moon Bay. (650) 573-3774. www.rotacarebayarea.org

Sonrisas Community Dental Center

Sonrisas Community Dental Center opened its doors in 2001 to provide access to affordable dental care for low-income San Mateo Coastside residents. Last year, they provided
dental treatment to nearly 1,500 children and adults who might otherwise have gone
without care. The dentists, hygienists, and other dental professionals who treat Sonrisas
patients are creating a healthier life and a brighter future for families who live and work
in the community. Pilarcitos Square: 210 San Mateo Road, Suite 104, Half Moon Bay. 7262144. www.sonrisasdental.org

Coastside Adult Day Health Center

CADHC keeps the frail, elderly and disabled as healthy, active and independent as possible,
when advancing years or physical/mental conditions call for extra care and attention. The
agency offers a daily program of activities and substantial health services operated by a
team of professionals and program aides, including an Alzheimers Program and Family
Caregiver Support Program. The agency works in cooperation with the participants, their
caregivers and their personal physicians in an atmosphere that is both caring and supportive. 645 Correas St., Half Moon Bay. 726-5067. www.coastsideadultdayhealth.org

Senior Coastsiders

Founded in 1977, Senior Coastsiders has become the focal point for senior services on
the Coastside. Senior Coastsiders strive to create an atmosphere that acknowledges and
affirms the value, dignity and self worth of seniors and adults with disabilities. The agency
also serves as a resource for the entire community for information on aging, support of
caregivers, and development of innovative approaches to address issues of aging. Ted
Adcock Community/Senior Center. 726-9056. www.seniorcoastsiders.org
Spring 2010 Coastside Guide 65

Holy Family
Episcopal Church
...an inclusive community sharing the
love of God in Christ

Religion
The Coastside is home to several religious organizations, so visiting guests and newcomers are likely to find just
the right place to express their beliefs and congregate with like-minded folks from the community. Sightseers may
want to visit some of the older churches in town — like the Community United Methodist Church on the corner
of Johnston Avenue and Miramontes Street. Built in 1872, this old church has stained-glass windows that reflect
various Coastside themes. Our Lady of the Pillar Catholic Church on Kelly Avenue and Church Street is another
landmark sight with more than 125 years of history in Half Moon Bay.
Calvary Chapel of Half Moon Bay